Himachal Pradesh to open 4 de-addiction centres to tackle drug menace, says Jai Ram Thakur

SHIMLA: To deal with the ever growing drug problem, the Himachal Pradesh government has decided to open at least four de-addiction centers in the state and to start curriculum for Class V onwards against drug abuse. Decision has also been taken to identify symptoms of drugs addiction and provide counseling for corrective measures in consultation with the principals and parents during school health checkups.


In a written reply in the House, chief minister Jai Ram Thakur said that this year up to July 31, total of 788 cases were registered under the NDPS Act in the state. In these cases, total 1,002 smugglers and peddlers were arrested, including nine foreign nationals.

Congress legislators Lakhvinder Singh Rana and

Dhani Ram Shandil

, along with CPM MLA Rakesh Singha, had asked the government about the steps being taked to prevent the smuggling of chitta (heroin) to Himachal Pradesh, especially in

Solan district

and taking measures to save innocents from becoming victims of the drug mafia.

Thakur informed that state government was addressing both the demand side and supply side of the problem and a drive had been started to crack down on smugglers and peddlers. He said that a strategic vigil was being maintained outside educational institutions to keep a watch on drug peddlers and random checks were also being carried out in eateries and shops to seize contrabands and apprehend peddlers.

He said that educational institutions have also been requested to install CCTV cameras. Decision had also been taken to display boldly the ill effects of drug abuse in all the educational institutions both government as well as private, he added.

The CM said that decision had also been taken to open rehabilitation Centers with the help of SJVNL,

NHPC

& other companies under

corporate social responsibility

(CSR) funding. He said that government had started collaborating with neighbouring states to form joint task forces and to work with greater co-ordination.


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